A new paper by Professors Richard Heller (University of Newcastle) and Stephen Leeder (University of Sydney) has called for a stronger focus on equity in Australia’s international student enrolment policies.
Titled Equity in Student Enrolment: A Quantitative Population Perspective on International Students in Australian Universities, the study examines how enrolment patterns vary globally and asks whether Australia should place greater emphasis on reducing global inequity in access to higher education — rather than focusing solely on the economic benefits of the sector.
Speaking with The Koala News, Professor Heller acknowledged the complexity of the issue.
“Although this is a difficult issue due to the dependence on overseas student fees, equity really does need to be considered,” he said.
The research found:
- International student enrolment rates per 100,000 population vary widely between countries and regions — and do not reflect global need for higher education.
- The single most important predictor of becoming an international student in Australia is the individual’s ability to pay.
- A national strategy should prioritise reducing global inequity in access to higher education.
- Universities could work together to create a global online learning network to address inequities.
- Australia could lead a global alliance to expand higher education access worldwide.
In 2022, the highest median enrolment rates per 100,000 population came from the Indian subcontinent, while the lowest were from Sub-Saharan Africa. National rates ranged from just 0.03 to 403 per 100,000 people. No consistent patterns were found linking enrolment rates to GDP, education spending, or local access to higher education — except in some high-GDP countries with high outbound rates to Australia.
Notably, the research found differences between what international and domestic students choose to study. In 2022, 35% of international students enrolled in a master’s degree compared with 14% of domestic students, while 53% of international students studied management, commerce or IT, compared with just 19% of domestic students. Similar patterns were recorded in 2019.
Professor Heller said the findings suggest Australia should develop an international higher education strategy based on global need, not just economic benefit. “Nearly a third of Australian university students are international and are major contributors to Australia’s economy,” he said. “But we must also consider the global equity impact of our enrolment patterns.”
Heller and Leeder’s work adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate on international education policy — one that asks whether Australia is ready to match its economic gains with a greater commitment to global fairness in access to higher learning.
The paper can be downloaded here.
